This Week in Environment — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Heavy-duty vehicle CO2 monitoring rules amended; new electric powertrain safety regulation published; fisheries conservation requirements updated.
August 17, 2026 to August 23, 2026
Heavy-duty vehicle CO2 monitoring rules amended; new electric powertrain safety regulation published; fisheries conservation requirements updated.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Amendments to Heavy-Duty Vehicle CO2 Monitoring Data
The Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1282 of 12 June 2026 amends and corrects Annexes IV and V to Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 regarding data to be monitored, reported, and published for new heavy-duty vehicles. The changes address reporting requirements for manufacturers and Member States, including the unequivocal identification of completed vehicle manufacturers and additional monitoring parameters for new vehicle groups and technologies. The Regulation clarifies the handling of commercially sensitive data, specifies reporting by technical services, and corrects errors in previous annexes. The amendments enter into force twenty days after publication in the Official Journal (OJ L 2026/1282, 21 August 2026; CELEX: 32026R1282).
UN Regulation No 100 on Electric Powertrain Safety Published
The Official Journal published the consolidated UN Regulation No 100 (OJ L 2026/1695, 17 August 2026; CELEX: 32026R1695), incorporating amendments effective from 26 September 2025. The regulation sets out uniform provisions for the approval of vehicles with respect to electric powertrain safety, including requirements for rechargeable electrical energy storage systems (REESS), protection against electrical shock, and fire resistance. It also details procedures for type approval, conformity of production, and transitional arrangements for contracting parties.
Fisheries Conservation and Reporting Deadlines Updated for SPRFMO Area
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1761 of 12 June 2026 amends Regulation (EU) 2018/975 concerning management, conservation, and control measures in the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) Convention Area. The changes update the deadlines for submission of annual scientific and catch reports, revise line weighting standards, and adjust data requirements for vessels, observers, and ports. Member States must now submit annual reports by 15 June, with possible extensions for provisional data. The Regulation enters into force four days after publication (OJ L 2026/1761, 17 August 2026; CELEX: 32026R1761).
What We're Reading This Week
- Could magnesium become the new lithium for electric vehicles?: Researchers and automakers are exploring magnesium as a potential alternative to lithium for next-generation electric vehicle batteries.
- Climate change forces rethink at Chambord's historic gardens: Chambord's renowned gardens are undergoing major adaptations as rising temperatures and drought alter traditional landscaping practices.
- Europe wildfires: Two people killed in Greece, France blaze stabilised: Wildfires continue to threaten southern Europe, claiming lives in Greece while firefighters gain control over a major blaze in France.
- Explainer: What's the EU's carbon market, and why does it matter?: The EU's carbon market sets a price on emissions, driving industries to reduce pollution and shaping global climate policy.
- Harmony between humans and nature brings hope along drought-hit Danube: Local communities along the drought-stricken Danube find renewed optimism through sustainable practices and cooperation with nature.
